Well folks I climbed a volcano. Yep, you heard me right. A volcano. More or less I rode a horse up and down a volcano. This hike honestly was the highlight of my entire trip thus far. It was on this random volcano that I experience the Lord in such an amazing way.
Well let me give a little bit of background before I launch you into this little adventurous excursion I went on. My team and I spent last week (Monday through Friday) in the beautiful city of Antigua for our midway debrief. Cobblestone streets, authentic markets and amazing food galore. Antigua truly is Guatemala in its finest. It was such a refreshing and replenishing for my team. while there we were able to relax and rejuvenate. During our last day in Antigua several of us decided to join up on a hike up a volcano. An opportunity to climb a volcano in Guatemala? I think yes. We went with a group as it was recommended for safety reasons. In our tour group there was the 9 of us, 8 people from Israel, 4 from Australia and 2 from Germany. It was awesome to get the chance to talk with them and hear some of their story.
Once we finished the buss and were about to start the climb up the mountain we encountered an extreme dog fight on the beginning of the trail. I literally had to jump up on the side of this wall to avoid getting between them. Just a little bit of excitement to get the adrenalin flowing lol. (that was just a random part of the story that I thought you would enjoy)
The hike was gorgeous. All the way up there guys with horses saying “taxi? Taxi?” half way up I was able to barter up a good price for riding the horse the rest of the way up and back down. It was so unreal. The closer we got to the top we were surrounded in a fog that prevented you from seeing anything past the edge. It felt like a different world. Due to volcanic ash and loose ground the horses couldn’t go up the last leg of the hike. It was unreal. It was so ridiculously freezing at the top, but there were random caves that were as hot as a sauna. We had to crawl through them on our hands and knees and when I came out my hair was wet from the moisture. And to top it off we roasted marshmallows on the tip of the volcano.
After we had reached the top reality sunk in. there was only 10 minutes left of daylight and we were on top of this cloud filled volcano. The hike started later than planned and the hike took longer than expected, and none of us had brought any type of lights with us. Not my most prepared moment to say the least. Needless to say the hike back took longer than the hike up. The trail was by no means a level one, there are sharp drop offs and plenty of ways for one to fall and injure themselves. Luckily I had a horse. Unlike us foreigners this creature had been up and down this trail countless times and was gifted with sharp eye sight and sure footing. I’m not going to lie, the super sketchy travel down the volcano was the highlight for me. I loved situation I was in. Its not just because I enjoy a good adventure, but it was when we started the climb down that it hit me. I can’t see a thing. It was pitch black with the occasional soft flow of the cloud filled sky peeking between the thick trees. I couldn’t see anything in the darkness but the stark white horse that was carrying me through. In this I was so filled with joy. I had absolutely nothing to worry about. I had complete trust in this horse and that its steps were firm and sturdy being guided by the Lord. It was then that I saw the bigger picture. We are all traveling in the darkness. I have no idea what bump, drop off or turn is coming my way. All I can do is trust that the Lord will lead me and guide me through. There are times when there is a drop off and you adjust your grip with white knuckles as you feel like your about to fall off tumbling to the ground, but then you are assured that the horse bringing you through knows the way. The Lord in every which way is my white horse. He is pure and clean. He shines in the darkness, and is the only thing I can fix my eyes on and have faith in. He will not let me fall and he will never lead me astray. It is when we try climbing down this trail on our own that we trip and fall and are filled with fear, because we have no honest idea where we are going. It is when we grab hold of our horse in faith and trust that our travels become safe and protected.
“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Though I walk through the valley of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:1-4
“Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.” Psalm 25:5
“But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.” John 16:13
“For you have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.” Psalm 56:13
“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” Psalm 119:105
Love you all,
Tracey 🙂
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